The New Republic Defense Fleet is currently committed to assuring the safety of our spacelanes, and bellicose talks of war are un-nessesary.

As such I vote against. But I do vote in favour of forming a commission to explore what powers the NRDF has to deal with pirates. And the criminal and jurisdictional issues raised.

Begun and held within the Grand Convocation Center of the Galactic Senate, at the Galactic City on Coruscant, on Atunda, the fourth day of Kelona, Sixteen years After the Battle of Endor,
Resolution
To authorize the use of the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the New Republic on its commerce, its economy, its space lands, and most importantly, its civilians.
Whereas, throughout the recent months, acts of piracy and violance have been committed against the New Republic and its citizens; and
Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the New Republic exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect New Republic citizens both at home and abroad; and
Whereas, the Chief of State, Defense Council, and the New Republic Defense Force has authority under the Common Charter to take action to deter and prevent acts of piracy against the New Republic: Now, therefore be it Resolved by the Galactic Senate in this Congress assembled;

Section 1 - Short Title
This resolution may be cited as the "Authorization for Use of Military Force'.

Section 2 - Authorization For Use of the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic
(a) IN GENERAL- That the Chief of State, Defense Council, and New Republic Defense Forces are authorized to use all necesarry and appropriate force against those governments, organizations, or persons they determine planned, authorized, committed, or aided a piracy attack against the New Republic, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of piracy against the New Republic by such governments, organizations or persons.
(b) Time frame clarification- This shall apply to all piracy attacks past, present, and, as indicated above, future.

As such, the NRDF has patrolled our spacelanes for many years...

In the process it will allow us to say our interest in pirate activities is so great that we will interfere with other governments ability to police themselves. For example say the Empire has pirates in it's territories and it only attacks ships of republic origin then we as the Republic may legally enter the Empire based on our own laws and commit acts of war against theses pirates and those who supposedly support them. With no trial to say the least.

Needless to say I support this bill as I don't like the current terms of the peace treaty However I will abstain my vote. I hope others will oppose it however as it is clearly a risky bill.

Senator of Coruscant,

Gustav Emerest

Text of Senator Fortes Censures

First
WHEREAS, Senator Forte has demeaned the uniformed sentients of the New Republic's planetary defense forces, has insulted and slandered the name and reputation of certain Senators, based on "rumors" without attribution, and has introduced Imperial propaganda into the chamber without attribution, has promoted measures of immoderate federalism, incompatible with the Common Charter, and has misused for political purposes the Council on the Common Defense, of which he is Chairman,
THEREFORE, the Senate reprimands Senator Forte for conduct unbecoming of a Senator, for the actions aforestated, and warns him to refrain from such conduct henceforth or be subject to suspension, revocation of his Chairmanship, or both.

Second
The New Republic Senate votes to censure the head of the monuments committee for lack of action in replying to the criticisms of a senior member of the Senate, for contempt of his office and disrespect for those represented by the Federal Monuments of the New Republic and for general unpatriotic conduct.

Section 1 - Short Title
This resolution may be cited as the "Removal of Senator Forte and Anti-Piracy.' proposal.

Section 2 -
(a) IN GENERAL- Senator Forte has proven himself abundantly unsuitable for office, and so is dismissed as Chair of the Corruption Panel and Monuments Committee.
(b) Time frame clarification- This shall have immediate effect.
© The Senate calls upon Mr Forte's Political Party on Ryloth to withdraw their support for him at the next election, in order that a better and more patriotic candidate may be found.
(d) The Senate bars Senator Forte to be unsuitable to hold the office of head of any Senate Committee, Commission or Sub-Committee.

Section 3 -
(a) Piracy is abominable, and an evil which the New Republic should not suffer from.
(b) The Galactic Senate calls upon all Planetary Governments to help defend their own trade routes, and provide such assistance to the Federal forces combating piracy as may be nessesary.
© All freight companies should seek to provide defenses for their ships (either with armorments aboard freighters, or private escort vessels), should they fail in this insurance may be waived.
(d) There will be an end to un-escorted convoys of unarmed vessels in regions designated by the BoSS as Dangerous; if these are found to exist then insurance companies within the New Republic will not be responsible for losses.

To President Gavrisom and Senator Cambrist, you are both indeed correct. in that we do indeed engage in offensive and defensive operations against pirate groups, however, I refer to the Chair's comment. Senator Emerest, while perhaps overestimating the risks within, has the meaning of the bill more or less in hand with his interpretation. It is a resolution authorizing, and encouragin, more aggressive actions against pirates, pirate groups, those that aid and assist pirates, governments that sponsor and encourage piracy, and "pirate havens". It is a resolution demanding the Chief of State, Defense Council, and NRDF take on this issue in a renewed aggression, devoting our forces in a "War Against Piracy", with the end goal of discouraging piracy against the New Republic, its citizens, and free commerce. By no means does this mean however, that we will persecute pirates that are captured or surrender without trial. Those that do surrender or are captured, will be given a trial by the Courts of Justice, and held accountable for their crimes, but having every means to defend themselves as individuals.